Everything you need to know about the 2015 season

Kids love Memphis Redbirds baseball games. See them play at AutoZone Park. Photo by Craig Thompson.

The Memphis Redbirds are the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals and play in Downtown Memphis. Photo by Craig Thompson.

Root on the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park in Downtown Memphis. Photo by Craig Thompson

Check out a baseball game at AutoZone Park in Downtown Memphis, TN. Photo by Craig Thompson

Baseball season in Memphis is back! From schedules and giveaways to food and must-see players, we’ve got everything you need to know to make the 2015 Memphis Redbirds season a success. Keep reading.

2015 Memphis Redbirds ScheduleThe Memphis Redbirds open 2015 by hosting the defending National League Central Division Champion St. Louis Cardinals in a special exhibition game at AutoZone Park on Friday, April 3.

Memphis begins the regular season with eight games at home starting Thursday, April 9 against the Iowa Cubs (Chicago Cubs) and Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City Royals). All-in-all, the 2015 schedule includes 72 regular season games at AutoZone Park, 11 homestands and 32 weekend dates (Friday - Sunday).

Best Ballpark FoodSure we’ve got hot dogs and pretzels, but the one concession food that you must try (and you’ll only find in Memphis) is barbecue nachos – a mound of pulled barbecue pork (or chicken) layered over nacho chips and covered with flowing cheese. Wash it all down with ice cold adult beverage like a frozen margarita or speciality beer.

Fans with dietary restrictions will love the addition of vegetarian specialties like black bean burgers and fresh fruit and salad bowls. Great grub like this is one of the main reasons why AutoZone Park was recently named a Top 10 Vegetarian-Friendly Ballpark by PETA.

AutoZone Park (with awesome upgrades)Located in Downtown Memphis across from the DoubleTree Hotel and within easy walking distance of Beale Street Entertainment District, AutoZone Park sports some of most exciting action in all of the city. The park has drawn rave reviews from fans and media alike. Sports Illustrated loves it and Baseball America called AutoZone Park “one of America’s 10 Best Ball Park Vacation Destinations.”

In an effort to improve the overall fan experience and get you closer to the game, the Redbirds have been hard at work this winter. A new state-of-the-art LED scoreboard has been added to left field, a BBQ-themed free-standing food area was constructed on the outfield concourse in right field, two new grass “bluffs” were created in the main seating bowl and suites were removed to make room for AutoZone Park’s first all-inclusive club in right field. This is in addition to one of the largest (60’ x 60’) videoboards in minor league baseball that was added in recent years.

TicketsSingle game tickets and ticket packages are now on sale online or at the box office. The AutoZone box office, located at 200 Union Ave. in Downtown Memphis, is open on non gamedays Monday - Friday 9 a.m - 6 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. During gamedays, the box offices opens at 10 a.m. Fans can purchase tickets online at www.memphisredbirds.com/tickets or over the phone at 901-721-6000.

Individual game tickets for the Memphis Redbirds are at fan-friendly prices too. Grab tickets on the bluff for as low as $6 or roost in the Redbirds club for only $55.

This year, the Redbirds are introducing a pair of “Starting Nine” ticket packages that are each comprised of a ticket to the St. Louis Cardinals Exhibition Game, Redbirds Opening Night, and two fireworks games at AutoZone Park. These mini-packs range from $218 for a Club Level seat, $181 for Dugout, and $147 for a Field Box ticket.

Children three (3) years old and over require a ticket for admission to the ballpark. Children two (2) years of age and under do not need a ticket for entry into AutoZone Park. However, they must sit on the lap of an accompanying adult.

Gates at AutoZone Park open one hour prior to game times, except on Fridays when they open at 5 p.m.

Memphis Redbirds PromotionsCircle these dates for for fireworks after the ballgame: April 11, April 25, May 9, May 16, May 30, June 13, June 27, July 3 (Red, White and BOOM Independence fireworks celebration), July 11, July 25, August 15 and August 22. Click here for the full Memphis Redbirds promotion schedule.

Players to WatchThe Memphis Redbirds are celebrating 18 years as the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. After a strong finish to the 2014 season, this year’s squad is ready to take on Pacific Coast League. Four of the top 10 prospects (as ranked by Baseball America) in the Cardinals’ system open the season in Memphis, highlighted by No. 1 prospect Marco Gonzales. The Cardinals’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year had a breakthrough 2014 campaign and posted a 13-7 record with a 2.81 ERA in 156.2 innings with 148 strikeouts in 31 games. Gonzales teams up with southpaw Tim Cooney (set the Redbirds franchise single-season record with 14 wins in 2014) and phenom Zach Petrick as they look to take the Memphis Redbirds back to the playoffs in 2015.

Get out and cheer on St. Louis’ No. 3 prospect and 2014 PCL Mid-Season All-Star Stephen Piscotty. Ranked by Baseball America as the organization’s “Best Hitter for Average” and possessing the “Best Outfield Arm,” the 24-year-old batted .288 with 14 home runs and a team-high 32 doubles a season ago for the Redbirds.

Xavier Scruggs returns to man first base for Memphis. The slugger batted .286 with 21 homers a season ago, while also finishing 5th in the PCL in RBI (87), tied for 6th in games played (135), 7th in runs scored (82) and 14th in extra-base hits (53) before making his Major League debut for St. Louis in September.

Kid-friendly ActivitiesA Memphis Redbirds game is family-friendly and fun for kids of all ages. Bring your blanket and grab a spot on the left field hill as the Memphis sun sets over the Mississippi River. Kids love chasing down a home run ball that lands in that area.